Petition to ban electric shock dog collars nears 10k mark

A petition launched by the Scottish Conservatives to ban electric shock collars for dogs is on the verge of 10,000 signatures – just a week after it was launched.

West of Scotland MSP Maurice Golden started the petition after speaking with charities and animal rights groups.

He argued that simply regulating the collars – as the Scottish Government intends to – would legitimise their use, rather than stop it altogether.

Experts say the collars cause pain and stress to dogs, while police have long abandoned their use when it comes to the training dogs for the force.

The campaign has been backed by a range of groups, including the Kennel Club, the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, and the SSPCA.

As it stands, 9825 people have signed the petition.

Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden said:

“Electric shock collars are harmful, and the expert advice is clear that electrocuting dogs doesn’t help train them.

“I urge people to sign this petition to let the SNP know that regulating these devices – which means they would still be used – isn’t good enough.

“They say dogs are man’s best friends – it’s time we repaid that friendship and banned electric shock collars once and for all.”

Below are some supportive quotes from organisations opposed to electric shock dog collars.

A spokesman for the Kennel Club said:
“It is extremely disappointing that despite the large amount of specific evidence proving that electric shock collars are a cruel training method for dogs, the Scottish Government has decided to pursue a costly route to regulate shock collars, which is likely to legitimise their use, rather than implement an outright ban. We wholly support the petition set up by Maurice Golden and would encourage anyone who supports dog welfare to sign it.”

David Montgomery, president of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council, said:
“Enlightened dog trainers have long since rejected methods that employ fear, pain and coercion. Modern training methods employ positive, rewarding experiences that produce more reliable results. Owners and trainers have a legal duty of care towards their dogs and these devices are not compatible with that requirement.”

Mike Flynn, chief superintendent at the SSPCA, said:
“As Scotland’s animal welfare charity, the Scottish SPCA believes that any training or control device that can inflict pain on an animal, from which it has no means of escape, should not be used. We are absolutely against the use of electric shock collars. We can see no reason why they should be allowed for sale to the general public, given that the Home Office banned their use by trained military and police personnel over a decade ago.”